Home stereo setup help

[jmadey23]

I am looking to buy a new stereo setup. I want it to be a 2.1 setup, left and right channels plus a sub. I need everything, a receiver, speakers, sub, DVD/CD player, and maybe a preamp (?). My biggest problem is I do not know what the heck I am looking at. Could anybody help me out? I am open to a total recommendation. I will ultimately be buying a Sceptre X46BV LCD. I do not want to spend a ton of money, $500 - $750. Thanks!

Also, are these sound bars I keep reading about any good?

 

[Seth=L]

I am looking to buy a new stereo setup. I want it to be a 2.1 setup, left and right channels plus a sub. I need everything, a receiver, speakers, sub, DVD/CD player, and maybe a preamp (?). My biggest problem is I do not know what the heck I am looking at. Could anybody help me out? I am open to a total recommendation. I will ultimately be buying a Sceptre X46BV LCD. I do not want to spend a ton of money, $500 - $750. Thanks!

Also, are these sound bars I keep reading about any good?

They are decent, but not acoustically accurate. It's more a wow factor IMO for the soundbars.

I would get an inexpensive receiver, like a Harman Kardon refurb or some other refurb/used receiver. I would also get an Oppo DVD player. The remainder of the budget could be spent on speakers. I spend a lot of time in the used market. My current stereo cost me less than $200, and I am very pleased with the sound.

 

[jmadey23]

That is what I kind of got out of the whole sound bar thing? What does your setup currently consist of if you do not mind me asking?

 

[Seth=L]

That is what I kind of got out of the whole sound bar thing? What does your setup currently consist of if you do not mind me asking?

Currently, because of financial hardship, I have a Teac CR-H220 which I got for $60 as a refurb (in mint condition with all accesseries) I believe it sold new for around $300-400. I also have some BIC towers I got for $20, but they are very beat up. But, they where around $600 new, about 15 years ago.

 

[3db]

I am looking to buy a new stereo setup. I want it to be a 2.1 setup, left and right channels plus a sub. I need everything, a receiver, speakers, sub, DVD/CD player, and maybe a preamp (?). My biggest problem is I do not know what the heck I am looking at. Could anybody help me out? I am open to a total recommendation. I will ultimately be buying a Sceptre X46BV LCD. I do not want to spend a ton of money, $500 - $750. Thanks!

Also, are these sound bars I keep reading about any good?

If you need everything, than your budget just won't cut it. I would seriously look at EBay and try to pick up some used items.

A sound bar IMO won't give you the 2 channel resolution your after so its best to stay away. They sound cool at first but after a while, you'll notice that imaging and soundstage is rather poor.

 

[Babalu]

I am looking to buy a new stereo setup. I want it to be a 2.1 setup, left and right channels plus a sub. I need everything, a receiver, speakers, sub, DVD/CD player, and maybe a preamp (?). My biggest problem is I do not know what the heck I am looking at. Could anybody help me out? I am open to a total recommendation. I will ultimately be buying a Sceptre X46BV LCD. I do not want to spend a ton of money, $500 - $750. Thanks!

Also, are these sound bars I keep reading about any good?

You should take a look at the Harman Kardon 3485 2 Ch. stereo receiver. I recently ordered one for $250 w/ free shipping online. Kicks Butt.
It's 120w per channel @ 8 ohm, 150w per @ 4 ohm. 2 sub inputs.
I have an ancient HK AVR w/ 2 equally ancient old school giant DCM's that I use for music but when I came across this one with more power for that price I couldn't help myself.
I then accidently found the BIC America RTR 1530's, giant old school type speakers also, for $230 a pair delivered on clearance, and again couldn't stop my fingers from typing in my info & hitting "place order". Not home theater speakers, although I suppose that would be in the ears of the beholder & your room size, LOL. But they sure do rock the house. With 15" woofers no sub required.
Not many reviews for them online, found about 8 or so and only 1 said they were bad w/ no bass. Don't know how that's possible, he must have gotten a bad pair. At 8 ohm they don't draw as much as my 4 ohm DCM's....which I knew nothing about when I purchased them ages ago. But the old HK AVR handled those just fine. Harman Kardon definitely makes some quality stuff.

I have a HT set up w/ a Denon, 5 Polks & Mirage Omni 8" sub, but I'm thinking of selling it all. Bought it at Sound Advice about 2 1/2 yrs ago and could probably count how many used hours on them. I'm more into music than HT right now. I just don't have the proper room/space. I have a horrific living room configuration, open plan and not 1 solid wall. Constantly moving all the living room stuff around, literally or in my head trying to make it all fit better...but it's not happening....
I'm going to look into the Polk Surroundbar 360 when it's available. For my situation right now it seems perfect until I hopefully move.
Anyway, check out the HK 3485, for that price I don't think you could get a better deal on something new.
As for Ebay, it's a great site for deals but you have to be careful w/ electronics. Probably the most fraudulent category on there. Especially if you're not familiar w/ what you are looking for. Have to be diligent w/ checking feedback & return policies.
For used stuff I'd look into local classifieds & pawn shops where you can see, touch and hear it.
Take care and good luck ; )

 

[krzywica]

I would look for a Harmon Kardon receiver as all the other posts have stated. You should be able to find an AVR 146 in the $150 range. I got my AVR 147 for $200.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-HK-AVR-146-5-1-Home-Theater-Receiver-HDMI_W0QQitemZ150217525129QQihZ005QQcategoryZ14981QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

As far as speakers go, I would just get some really good bookshelves or towers that have good low frequency response. My PSB's surprised the heck out of me, and are great for 2 channel audio, as well as HT use. Trying to get a sub in the $100-$200 range is a trivial effort at best.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I want it to be a 2.1 setup... I need a receiver, speakers, sub, DVD/CD player, and maybe a preamp... $500 - $750. Thanks!

Well, for a total of $750, you don't need a preamp.

I would also vote for HK. I had the HK247 for a few months, and I was very impressed with the Direct Stereo sound quality. The HK147 is probably similar in sound quality, but with less features.

The rest goes to Speakers + Sub from AV123 or SVS.

You might also home-audition the Aperion monitor Speakers + Sub -- they offer free shipping to you and free shipping back to them. So if you don't like what you hear, you can always return the speakers.

 

[tricube]

I guess i get the vote HK also. good power, lower price. Also, sound bars, in my opinion are a solution piece. we only use them when adding front channel speakers are impossible, like over a stone fireplace. Budget is thin. look to Ebay for some deals on a good set of speakers. unfortunately in this business, some times you can get cheap power, but good speakers cheap are hard to find.

 

[saganco]

I have a Harman Kardon AVR 20II receiver in absolutely fantastic condition. I wouldn't be selling it if mom didn't move in with us and bring her newer one that my brother bought her a couple of Christmas's ago. So to make her feel good about the move, we're using her equipment now (brother has good taste as well as we do). Grant our receiver is older - but has never been cranked up loud, and has been babied it's whole life. SUPER cheap! I've seen it listed in various places for $175, but could let it go because I don't really have room to store it - so $100, and shipping is available.

I also have an equally great condition HK 5 disk cd changer (#FL 8300) that I can make a great deal on.

I have gently used both for years and never had a single glitch of any kind from either unit. Personally I still think my HK receiver is better than moms - but oh well, it makes her happy for us to use hers! Let me know if I can help you. I'm sure you'll end up with something great even if it's not HK's.

 

[MUDSHARK]

The Ascend SE-170 are on sale right now.
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

This would leave 200-450 for the receiver and source.